EOOT GEAFXma 



We are very confident, however, that Mr. Hovey does not speak from experience, 

 We once entertained opinions of root-grafting much the same as his, but it was from 

 the want of experience, and we apprehend that some of our western friends are pro- 

 nouncing too hastily, even there, Avhere, as we have shown, serious and well founded 

 objections to it do exist. 



For the purpose of showing what opinions prevail there, we shall quote the whole 

 discussion of the subject at Dixon, and not what one individual said, as our friend 

 HovEY has done : 



" Sicaar. — Mr. Williams — Has seen a case parallel to the one just mentioned of the 

 Balihoin. 



" Mr. Beatton' — Had seen it bear well both root and stock-grafted. 



" C. Bryaxt — Thinks it should always be worked on very thrifty seedling stocks at 

 standard height. 



"Mr. Phcexix — Has several root-grafted; tops appear stinted; bears weU; fruit of an 

 excellent flavor. 



"A. Beyant — Has several trees budded standard high, very productive, rather deficient 

 in roots ; has staked some trees three years , now appear firmly rooted. 



" Mr. McWhoeter moved to recommend as best in quality of fruit, for hmited cultivation. 

 Lost. 



"A. Beya>^t moved to recommend for general culture when worked at standard height 

 on thrifty seedling stocks. Carried unanimously. 



" Mr. Williams was called on to give his views more fuUy on the advantages of stock- 

 gi-afted or budded trees over root-grafted. 



" Had paid attention to it for several years ; this year had spent much time in visiting 

 orchards and making observations. He believes that for the orchards, trees worked stand- 

 ard high are better worth one dollar a tree than for them to plant root-grafted trees, receiv- 

 ing them and a dollar with each tree s£ a gi-atuity. Has found our shy bearers, as Early 

 Harvest^ Fryor^a Bed, &c., to bear well when stock worked. To the rule he finds general, 

 there may be some exceptions. 



"Mr. Braytox — With him some varieties bear as well root-grafted as budded; some of our 

 cultivated varieties are more hardy than the average of seedlings ; such should be root-grafted* 



"Mr. McWhortee — Some varieties, that are very hardy on roots, are poor bearers. 



"Mr. PncEXix — Has paid much attention to the subject under discussion; believes that 

 working scions from nursery trees is bad policy ; attributes much of the complaining of 

 unproductiveness to this cause ; has facts to sustain him. Believes some varieties will prove 

 quite as i)roductive root-grafted as budded, and that some seedling stocks would produce 

 unproductive trees. Recommended raising stocks from seed taken from productive, thrifty 

 seedlings. Thinks it is too soon to decide entirely against root-gi-afting. 



" Mr. Avert — Had taken buds from nursery trees and had them bear the first year ; 

 believes if we take two five year old thrifty seedhngs, graft one in the root and bud the 

 other, the grafted one would bear as soon as the other. Believes checking the growth by 

 budding on unthrifty seedlings causes early bearing. 



"C. R. Overman — Concurs in the opinion just advanced by Mr. Avert. 



"Mr. Finley — Attributes the tardiness of bearing in root-grafted trees to their thrifty 

 growth ; has seen blossoms on trees first year, gi-afted, scions from nursery trees ; the 

 tree, however, was not healthy. 



